Compressed-air-cushion mechanism for automobiles.



No. 864,141. PATENTED AUG. 20, 1907.

T. F. SCOTT. U COMPRESSED AIR CUSHION MECHANISM FOR- AUTOMOBILES.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 14, 1906.

1 UNITED STATES PATENT oEFIoE.

' F. soo'r'r, OF EVERETT, MASSACHUSETTS;

COMPRESSED-AIB-GUBKION MECHANISM FOR AUTOMOBILES.

Specifica ion of Letters Patent.

Patented Ag g. 20,1907.

Application filed rm 14,1905. Sarislllo. 921,772.

7 following is a specification.

This invention relates to a mechanism for attachment to and connectionwith the body and a wheel-axle of automobiles, carriages, or other roadvehicles, for the purpose of substantially and practically overcoming,or

p offsetting sudden jolts, jars or bumpings, or such like of the vehiclebody and an axle thereof in the run of the vehicle, and more especiallysuch as are due to uneven and rough roadways, and so thereby to insureevenness and ease of motion to the vehicle body, its springsandpreferably, vertically arranged and capable of swinging oroscillating in a corresponding plane, a piston-head arranged to travelforward and backward in said cylinder, from end to end thereof; apiston-rod, at one end axially fixed to one end of said piston andpassing througha suitable'stufiing-box of the corresponding head of saidpiston-cylinder, and at its other end connected or also to secure agradual and controlled return of all the anchored either to awheel-axle' or to the bo'dyof the vehicle, according as thepiston-cylinder, as before stated, is anchored or connected either tothe body, or to the wheel-axle, but in either case so as to be capableof swinging thereon in and through a plane corresponding to the swing ofthe piston-cylinder; a by-way or passage connecting the opposite ends ofthe piston-cylinder, and a regulating valve in said by-way, and all andseverally adapted for the use of compressed air, and for equalizing thepressure thereof at and on the opposite sides of the piston-head, andalso so as to offset, or overcome, or relieve, through the movement ofthe piston-head in the piston-cylinder, and by the then resisting actionof the compressed air at the opposite ends of the piston-cylinder and onthe opposite sides of the piston-head, the sudden jolts, jumpings,bumpings, or jars faces, or depressions and elevations of the roadway;and

parts of the apparatus to their normal positions after an actionthereof, such as aforesaid, and all without strain or wrenching of anyof the parts of said apparatus, or their connections, or of thewheel-axles or vehicle-body, and with no disagreeable jolting, orthrowing, or bouncing of the persons occupying the vehicle.

In 'the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification,this invention is illustrated in connection with the body and thewheel-axles of an automobile, which otherwise is constructed and adaptedfor operation and use in any of the well vlmown modes, or otherwisesuitably. 1

Figure l is a side view of the body of an automobile and of an apparatusof this invention applied between the body and each of its wheel-axles,and showing a connection of the two apparatuses, all as will hereinafterappear. Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of thepiston-cylinder and a wheel-axle'and showing the piston-head and its rodin side elevation. Fig. 3 is an elevation of the piston-cylinder,piston-rod and partially along the length of a. wheel-axle, which isshown as broken off at'opposite sides of the piston-rod connectiontherewith.

In the drawings, A represents the body of an automobile, and B, B itsforward and rear wheels at one of its sides.

G, G are the wheel-axles, and D, D are the ordinary elliptical springsbetween the wheel-axles and the under side of the body A, all as wellknown, or otherwise suitably, and therefore-needing no more particulardescription herein, or illustration in the drawings.

E is a piston-cylinder having its opposite ends or heads closed.-

F is a piston-head arranged to move forward and backward in the cylinderE, and G is a piston-rod, at one end, centrally and axially attached toone side of the piston-head and extending therefrom through a suitablestuffing-box H at the corresponding head of the piston-cylinder, and,.at the other end, hung or anchored, by its divided collar J, having itsparts suitably fastened together, on a wheel-axle, and all so as to becapable of swinging in and through a vertical plane on such axle.

K, K are parallel vertical brackets attached to or anchored on theunderside of the vehicle-body, and dependent therefrom. Between thesebrackets the piston-cylinder E is located, and by trunnion-pins L, L, onits opposite sides, it is hung in suitable bearings at the lower ends ofsaid brackets, and all, preferably, so that normally the piston-cylinderand piston-rod will be axially in a vertical plane at right angles tothe under side of the vehicle-body and coincident with the verticalplane through and along the length of the axial line of a wheel-axle.

M is a by-way or passage at and along one side of the piston-cylinder,and making communication between the'epposite ends of the cylinder.

N is a regulating valve or cock in the by-way M,

located between its opposite ends. This valve is provided exteriorlywith a suitable handle P for convenience, as well known, in operating itto open and close relative to the by-way M and thereby to regulate thecapacity of said by-wayfor the flow of compressed air through it or, inother words, from one to the other end of the piston-cylinder.

A piston-cylinder and the other several parts con-- nected therewith, asabove described, are similarly arranged or anchored on and to thevehicle-body and connected or anchored to the wheel-axles at theopposite ends of the body, and they are so shown, Fig. 1, and theby-ways or passages M of the cylinders are shown as connected togetherby a common pipe 0, running under and lengthwise of the vehicle-body,and which should be such in its length, as for instance, in part ofrubber tubing, as to yield or bend without strain on its jointings withthe cylinder, as it adjusts itself to the varying positions ofinclination into which either one, or the other, or both of thepiston-cylinders and piston-rods may be placed, by the jolting orjumping or bounging movement of either the vehicle-body, or thewheel-axles, or of the springs, or of them all combined. r

The piston-cylinder is to be charged, as well known, and in any suitablemanner, with compressed air and for this purpose the by-way M, or thecylinder itself, may be provided with a port or opening, as forinstance, at Q, in the by-way, suitably adapted therefor, and to besuitably closed and opened for such purpose.

The degree of pressure of the compressed air in a piston-cylinder is tobe regulated and made most suitable for the desired action of themechanism of this inven tion, and this degree of compression, as isobvious, will vary according to the contingencies of the vehicle towhich said mechanism is applied, as for instance, according to theresiliency, or stiffness of the springs supporting the body on awheel-axle, or other obvious reasons.

Mechanisms charged with compressed air and anchored or connected to avehicle-body and its wheelaxles, all substantially as has beendescribed, in cases of rough and uneven road-ways and of depressions andelevations thereof, and as the vehicle passes thereover, serves by athen further compression or cushioning of the air at one end of thepiston-cylinder in the upward movement of the piston-head and by thesame compression or cushioning of the air at the other end of thepiston-cylinder in the following downward movement of the piston-head,or vice versa, to automatically control the compression and the reboundof the bodysprings, and the upward and downward movement of thevehicle-body consequent thereon, and all without interference with thenormal resiliency of the springs, and in this manner, the suddenbouncings, jolts, jars, or throwing of the vehicle and wheels in suchcases are substantially counteracted, or obviated, or overcome andregulated and controlled to a degree and extent sufficient to relievesuch movements of-all their disagreeable and uncomfortable effects uponthe persons riding in, and the liability therefrom of damaging therunning-gear and otherparts of the vehicle.

Each of the'mechanisms described secures a perfect double actingcompressed air-cushion as to the movement of the p'iston-head'inthepiston-cylinder; again t secures a perfect transfer of pressure fromone side of the piston head to the other, and at any and all times andunder any and all circumstances, byand through seem the by-wayconnecting the two ends of the piston-cylim der, and which is adapted tobe regulated as has been explained; and again the by-way securesagradual easing off of the pressure in its excess, if any, at one end ofthe pistoncyliuder as compared with its pressure at the other endthereof, and so enables, at any and all times and under anyand allcircumstances, a perfect and never failing air-cushion on bothsides ofthe piss ton-head to be maintained, and all without in the least degree,or to the least extent interfering with, or affecting the normalresiliency or other normal action of the ordinary vehicle-springs. Inother words, the mechanism and compressed air pressure employedtherewith, substantially as has been described, in. combination with thewheel-axles, the body and supporting springs of'a vehicle, such'forinstance, as an automobile, practically obviates all possibility orliability of the bumping, or jumping, or jolting of the vehicle-body andwheel-axles and springs and not only as to each, of itself, but alsoseverally as to and in conjunction with each-other, and no matter howrough, or uneven, or how otherwise different from being smooth and even,the surface of the roadway may be, over which the vehicle is traveling.

It will be observed in the shown and describedarrangement of themechanism of this invention and its combination with the vehicle-body,its wheel-axles,

and springs, that the superficial area of the piston-headis greater atone than at the other of its sides or faces and.

to an amount equal to the superficial area of the pistonrod along theplane of a cross section thereof at its juncture with the piston-head;and that also normally the compressed air-pressure is substantially andpractically equal at the opposite ends of the piston-cylinder, or inother words, at the opposite sides or faces of the pistonhead and is somaintained because of the communication provided between the oppositeends of the pistoneylinder through the by-way or passage M; and alsothat when by a sudden throwing or bolting or jumping of the' wheel-axlesor of the vehicle-body, or of both, the piston-head by its face or sideof greater superficial area is forced against the pressure of thecompressed air at that end of the piston-cylinder, which, as is plain,necessarily increases that pressure, while, at the same time, thecompressed air-pressure at the opposite side or face of the piston-headis reducing, or is being reduced,

such unequalizing of the air-pressures on the opposite sides of thepiston-head begins at once to be and is corrected, and the pressurepractically equalized by means of and through the said by-way or passageM, and thus the desired cushioning of the piston-head on its returnmovement is most efficiently and perfectly insured,'and the above istrue as to an equalizing of the opposite end pressure in thepiston-cylinder on a movement of the piston-head in a direction oppositeto that above described.

In Fig. 1, there' is shown as located on or carried by the body of thevehicle, a closed air-receptacle S connected by a pipe T with the pipe 0that connects the by-ways or passages M of the two piston-cylinders witheach other. This pipe T is provided at any suitable point with a reliefor reducing valve U of any of the usual and ordinary and well known orother suitable constructions and arrangements and therefore needing noparticular description herein, or particular illustration in thedrawings. Obviously with these parts properly adapted any extraordinaryor undue air compression in either one or the other or both of thepistoncylinders and at any stage of the operation of theirrespectivepiston-heads on the compressed air confined therein, can plainly betaken care of, it it is so required or necessary, and all proper anddesired relief thereof thus automatically secured.

Either the closed air-receptacle S may be hung by trunnion-pins the sameas described for the pistoncylinders, or the pipeconnection T may besuitably adapted, as for instance, made in part of rubber tubing, aswell known, or both together thus adapted so as to be capable ofadjustment to the varying positions of the pistoncylinders, either oneor both, and thus avoid straining oi the same.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent is,

1, In an automobile, or other road vehicle. the combination with thebody and a wheel-axle, of a vertical piston-cylinder with closed heads,vertical standards fixed to the underside of the body, means suspendingthe piston cylinder on and between said standards for it to swing in alongitudinal vertical plane on the body, a piston-head in said cylinder,a piston-rod extending from the lower side of the piston-head to andthrough a stutfingbox of the lower closed end of the piston-cylinder,means hanging the piston-rod on the wheel-axle for it to turn in alongitudinal vertical plane thereon. a hy-way or passage connecting theopposite end-portions of the piston-cylinder, a regulating valve in saidby-way, an opening at which to 'charge the pistonc vlinder, and means toopen and close said opening. all for operation, substantially asdescribed for the purposes specified.

2. In an automobile, or other road vehicle, the combination with thebody and the wheel-axles, of vertical pistoncylinders each with closedheads, vertical standards fixed to the underside of the body. meanssuspending each piston-cylinder on and between separate pairs ofsaidstandards for each to swing in a longitudinal vertical plane of thebody, a piston-head in each of said cylinders. a piston-rod extendingfrom the lower side of each pistonhead and through a stuffing-box of thelower closed end of its piston-cylinder, means hanging each piston-rodon a wheel axle for each to turn in a longitudinal vertical planethereon, "a by-way or passage connecting the opposite end-portions ofeach piston-cylinder, a regulating-valve in each of said by-ways, anopening at which to charge the piston-cylinder, means to open andclose-said opening, and a pipe connecting said two by-ways and capableof self-adjustment to the swing of the piston-cylinders on their saidsupporting standards, all for operation, substantially as described, forthe purposes specified.

3. In an automobile, or other road vehicle, the combination with thebody and a wheel-axle, of a vertical pistoncylinder with closed heads,vertical standards fixed to the under side of the body. means suspendingthe pistoncylinder on and between said standards for it to swing in alongitudinal vertical plane on the body, a pistonliead in said cylinder,a piston-rod extending from the lower side of the piston-head to andthrough a smilingbox of the lower closed end of the piston-cylinder,means hanging the piston-rod on the wheehaxle for it to turn in alongitudinal vertical plane thereon, a by-way or passage connecting theopposite end-portions of the pistoncylinder. a regulating valve in saidby-way, an opening at which to charge the piston-cylinder, means to openand close said'opening, a pipe connected with said by-way and capable ofself adjustment to the swing of the pistoncylinder on its saidsupporting standards, a closed air reservoir, carried by the body andconnectedwith said pipe, and a relief-valve in said pipe, all foroperation, substantially as described for the purposes specified.

4; In an automobile, or other road vehicle, the combination with thebody and a wheel-axle, of a vertical pistoncylinder with closed headsvertical standards fixed to the underside of the body, means consistingof trunnionpins and bearings therefor on the piston-cylinder and saidstandards, suspending the piston cylinder on and between said standardsfor it to swing in a longitudinal vertical plane on the body, apiston-head in said cylinder, apis'tonrod extending from the lower sideof the piston-head to and through a stufiing-box of theiower .closed endof the piston-cylinder. means hanging the piston-rod on the wheel-axlefor it to turn in a longitudinal vertical plane thereon, a by-way orpassage connecting the opposite endportions of the pistoncylinder, aregulating valve in said by-way, an opening at which to charge thepiston-cylinder, and means, to open and close said opening. all foroperation, substantially as described for the purposes specified.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

TIIOS. F. SCOTT. Witnesses:

Anni-1hr W. Bn wx. Cuannss R. Shows.

